A joint North West law enforcement operation ended with the arrest of 30 suspected illegal miners at the Scott Shaft in Stilfontein.
The Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, Tactical Operations Management Section, Local Criminal Record Centre, Explosives Unit and Illegal Mining Task Team, among others, pounced on the shaft on Friday morning.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said the accused were between 18 and 40 years old. He said the team confiscated unwrought gold, worth approximately R100 000, from two miners, and two revolvers from another two.They charged the first pair with possessing unwrought gold and the second with illegally possessing firearms and ammunition.Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said they recovered 3 rifles during the raid.Ammunition, unwrought precious metals, food items, medicine and gold-refining paraphernalia were also recovered by the police.
"An inquest docket is being investigated after one suspect died after he was found hanging from a shaft."The Hawks' provincial head, Major-General Patrick Mbotho, vowed to intensify efforts against illegal mining. In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can trust. For 14 free days, you can have access to a world of in-depth analyses, investigative journalism, top opinions and a range of features. Journalism strengthens democracy. Invest in the future today.
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